Maybe, like so many Americans, you have lately found yourself awake at night, plagued by big questions about the economy: Will Europe ever emerge from its debt crisis? Is the stock market rigged against individual investors? Why the heck did I take out those double-digit student loans for that graduate degree I'm not even using? Grabbing lunch with some of the nation's top financial minds would be an ideal way to get answers. If you've got the cash to pick up the tab, get our your calendar. And quick -- the bidding closes today.

This week, the government took a big first step toward shutting down the Can't Lose Room in the Wall Street Casino. It's now one comment period away from enacting the Volcker Rule, which limits the kinds of risky investments banks can make with money insured by the U.S. taxpayer.

Given an economy gaining steam and a vast expansion in the money supply, it's easy to assume inflation is up next. The causes of inflation, however, are anything but straightforward -- which is something investors need to remember.

Paul Volcker, chairman of the Economic Recovery Advisory Board for President Barack Obama, is set to step down from the position next month. As a key adviser to the president, Volcker has advocated for tougher financial regulations and counseled the government on fiscal policy.

Investment banks are working around new regulations restricting them from putting their own capital into short-term investments: The Wall Street institutions are sidestepping the Volcker Rule by making direct purchases of securities, companies and properties, which are considered longer-term investments.

Former Fed Chairman Paul Volcker warns that more quantitative easing by the Federal Reserve will stoke inflation. "When money is too easy for too long, we will have more" asset bubbles, the 83-year-old Volcker said.

As investments, municipal bonds have been traditionally seen as safe, stodgy and boring. None of those terms describe Jim Lebenthal, one of "munis" biggest fans. Now 81, Lebenthal gave up a promising career as a Hollywood correspondent to join the family business of investing in muni bonds.